Belt buckle

ABSTRACT

A belt buckle includes: a curved belt buckle body, a rigid frame member imbedded within the belt buckle body or affixed to the rear side of the belt buckle body; and a decorative face. The frame member includes a loop extending from a lateral side of the belt buckle body to receive one end of a belt and a hook which protrudes from the inner or rear face of the buckle to permit the hook to be inserted into holes provided in a belt. The hook and loop of the rigid frame member are joined by a curved intermediate portion that rigidly connects the loop and the hook. The belt buckle body includes: one or more cavities therein or on its rear side which receive and hold the rigid frame member and a decorative face that is permanently affixed or is removable and interchangeable.

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority fromthe filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/360,130, filedFeb. 22, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of belt buckles.More particularly, the present invention relates to a plastic beltbuckle which includes a decorative face.

BACKGROUND

Belt buckles that are worn with everyday attire are typically made of ametal material. There are few plastic belt buckles being marketed todayfor use with everyday apparel. However, such belt buckles are notaesthetically pleasing, fail to incorporate decorative elements that arepermanently affixed or interchangeable, and appear to lack thedurability and rigidity needed to hold together the ends of a thickleather belt.

Many of the plastic belt buckles worn today are used in contexts otherthan in everyday apparel. For example, plastic belt buckles are used inscuba divers' belts, fitness stabilizing belts for use with glideboards,mountain climber belts for use with chalk bags; and a variety of plasticbelt buckles are utilized in hunting, archery, camping, hiking andfishing belts. Such buckles are often used with nylon belts, aredesigned to have quick release features and do not include decorativeelements. As such, since they lack aesthetic qualities and are primarilydesigned for particular functions, such belt buckles are not likely tobe worn with everyday apparel.

As disclosed in the applicant's previous patent, U.S. Pat. No.5,179,766, the applicants have conceived of a plastic belt buckleconstruction that may be produced at a low cost while permittingcustomized pictorial facings such as logos and the like. The applicant'sbelt buckle of U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766 includes a decorative face thatmay be produced very inexpensively and without the need for complex andexpensive machinery to thereby make small batch processing of such beltbuckles economically feasible.

As discussed hereinabove, there is therefore a need in the art for aplastic belt buckle which can be used with everyday apparel that isaesthetically pleasing and incorporates decorative elements that areeither permanently affixed or interchangeable. There is also a need inthe art for a plastic belt buckle which is stable enough to holdtogether the ends of a thick leather belt while providing comfort forthe user. As such, the applicants have improved the invention disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766 and have created an economically feasibleplastic belt buckle construction in accordance with the objects of thepresent invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an economically feasible plasticbelt buckle construction which is aesthetically pleasing, incorporatesdecorative elements that are interchangeable in some embodiments therebyproviding diversity, and stably holds together the ends of a belt whileproviding comfort for the user. Additionally, the belt buckle of thepresent invention may be worn with everyday apparel. Since the beltbuckle's decorative elements may include logos representing variouscompanies such as truck and automobile manufacturers, beer brands,sports teams or special events, the present invention may also be usedfor advertising or promotional purposes.

The present invention is directed to a belt buckle which includes: acurved or convex belt buckle body, a rigid frame member imbedded withinthe belt buckle body or affixed on the rear side of the belt bucklebody, and a decorative face that engages with the front face of the beltbuckle body. The rigid frame member includes a loop and a hook which arejoined by an intermediate portion that rigidly and permanently connectsthe loop and the hook. The loop opening is positioned so that it is notperpendicular to the intermediate portion, and the loop is conformed toaccept the end of a belt which is typically folded over the loop andsnapped or otherwise fastened to connect the end of the belt to the beltbuckle. The loop extends from the lateral side of the belt buckle tostably hold the end of the belt. The hook protrudes from the inner orrear face of the belt buckle and permits fastening of the opposite endof the belt to the buckle through the insertion of the hook into holesprovided in a belt. The belt buckle body also includes one or morecavities therein adapted to house or hold the rigid frame member inplace.

Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the invention, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by wayof example, various features of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a belt buckle in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the belt buckle shown inFIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rigid frame member in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a rigid frame member in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a side view of a rigid frame member in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear cross-sectional view of a belt buckle body inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken alongline 4A in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B is a transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line4B in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a belt buckle body in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of embodiments of the invention, referenceis made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisapplication. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also,it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employedherein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting.

The belt buckle of the present invention includes: a curved belt bucklebody, a rigid frame member embedded therein or affixed on the rear sideof the belt buckle body, and a decorative face that engages with thefront face of the belt buckle body. The rigid frame member includes ahook protruding from the inner or rear face of the buckle, a loopprotruding from a lateral side of the buckle at the opposite end, and anintermediate portion connection the loop and hook. In alternateembodiments of the invention, the rigid frame member may be affixedbehind the belt buckle body (on the rear side) instead of being embeddedtherein. Additionally, the decorative face may be permanently affixed tothe belt buckle body or may be removable and interchangeable.

FIG. 1 depicts a frontal perspective view of a belt buckle in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The belt buckle depictedincludes a belt buckle body 10 with a front face 11 which is adapted toreceive a separate decorative face or includes a decorative faceincluded thereon as part of belt buckle body 10. Belt buckle body 10includes a curvature that is convex in shape to provide comfort for theuser and contour the user's waistline. In one embodiment of theinvention, front face 11 may include (as a separate decorative face oras part of belt buckle body 10) any two-dimensional or three-dimensionaldecorative configuration such as initials, symbols and/or logos. Loop 12of extends from a lateral side of belt buckle body 10. Loop 12 isadapted to accept the end of a belt which is typically folded over theloop and snapped or otherwise fastened to connect the end of the belt tothe belt buckle. Loop 12 extends from the lateral side of belt bucklebody 10 to stably hold the end of the belt.

As seen in FIG. 2, which depicts a perspective view of the rear of thebelt buckle of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, loop 12 extends from a lateral side of the belt buckle and ahook 14 extends from the rear face 15 of belt buckle body 10. Loop 12 isappropriately dimensioned to receive the end of a belt (not shown) sothat it can be threaded through the loop and folded over onto itself;belts usually incorporate some type of fastening means such as rivets,screws or snaps so that the folded portion passing through the loop issecured to the belt buckle at the loop. Hook 14 is dimensioned to permitthe hook to be inserted in holes provided at the opposite end of a belt.Belt buckle body 10 of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 may beconstructed of any suitable plastic material or other material known toone skilled in the art and incorporates within it or thereon a rigidframe member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rigid frame member in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. The rigid frame member includesan intermediate portion 37, a loop 38, a hook 36, and a portion 60 ofthe wire which is positioned between loop 38 and intermediate portion37. As seen in FIG. 3B which shows a side view of the rigid framemember, intermediate portion 37 includes a curvature, and loop 38 ispositioned along the curved plane that lies along intermediate portion37; thus, loop 38 is not perpendicular to intermediate portion 37. Hook36 extends towards the user such that it may be inserted within theapertures of a belt. FIG. 3A shows a front view of the rigid framemember which depicts the side of the belt which would face opposite theuser. In alternate embodiments of the invention, portion 60 of the wire,which is positioned between loop 38 and intermediate portion 37, may betack welded to end of the wire that forms part of loop.

The rigid frame member may be comprised of a metal wire having one endformed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop. The metalwire may have any variety of dimensions. The wire chosen as the framemember may be made of any suitable metal or other material such as gaugesteel wire bent and formed using conventional wire forming machineryknown in the art. The rigid frame member may be formed of a wire bentinto an appropriate configuration. The rigid frame member, if formed ofwire, can conveniently be bent utilizing conventional wire bendingmachines or other methods known in the art. For example, in oneembodiment, the rigid frame member may be comprised of 120 gauge steelwire which provides appropriate workability for utilization in such wirebending machines while also providing sufficient strength when in itsfinal form to function as a rigid frame member as part of the beltbuckle of the present invention. The rigid frame member may be formed ofa single length of wire that has been bent or folded in respectivedirections, one end of which forms hook 36 that is connected through anintermediate portion 37 to loop 38 (see FIG. 3).

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 3B, the belt buckle of the present inventionincludes a rigid frame member wherein loop 38 is not perpendicular tothe intermediate portion 37. Intermediate portion 37 includes acurvature to complement the belt buckle's convex shape. Additionally,loop 38 does not protrude perpendicularly out of the rear face of thebelt buckle body. Rather, loop 38 extends out of a lateral end of thebelt buckle body. Hook 36 extends out of the rear face of the plasticmolded body and extends toward the user when worn by the user.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the rigid framemember may be comprised of a metal plate instead of a wire. The metalplate may be bent to create a curvature and to complement the curvedshape of the belt buckle. The metal plate may be stamped (or othermethod known in the art) to provide an opening that enables therespective end of the sheet metal member to be utilized as a loop. A pegor extension may be soldered or welded close to the opposite end of theplate to form the hook. Alternatively, the plate could be stamped orpunched to cause a small segment of the sheet to bend inwardly as asubstitute for a peg.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear cross-sectional view of belt buckle body 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. (A perspectiveview of the front of belt buckle body 10 is seen in FIG. 1.) FIG. 4depicts a sectional view of the rear side of the belt buckle body withthe rigid frame member embedded therein (but excludes the portion ofloop 38 that extends beyond the lateral side of belt buckle body 10). Inone embodiment, belt buckle body 10 may include one or more cavitiesadapted to house and hold the rigid frame member which is comprised ofloop 38, intermediate portion 37, and hook 36. In embodiments whereinthe rigid frame member is embedded within belt buckle body 10, the rigidframe member is permanently affixed to belt buckle body 10.

Yet, in alternate embodiments, the rigid frame member may be positionedexternally on the rear side of belt buckle body 10 (side facing user)instead of being embedded therein. In such embodiments, the rigid framemember is not embedded within the belt buckle body but is stably affixedto the rear side of belt buckle body 10. For example, FIG. 4A is alongitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line 4A in FIG.4. In the embodiment depicted, the rigid frame member is positionedexternally at the rear side of buckle body 10 facing the user instead ofbeing embedded within belt buckle body 10. FIG. 4B is a transversecross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line 4B in FIG. 4 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein the rigidframe member is positioned on the rear side of belt buckle body 10. FIG.4B depicts loop 38, which extends laterally off of belt buckle body 10,and hook 36 which is inserted into the holes of a belt.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of a belt buckle in a further embodiment ofthe present invention. In this embodiment, decorative face 70 is aseparate member from belt buckle body 10 instead of a decorative elementincluded as part of the front face of belt buckle body 10. Decorativeface 70 couples with the front face of belt buckle body 10 and ispermanently affixed thereto. Alternatively, decorative face 70 may beremovable and interchangeable to allow for a variety of decorative facesto be placed on belt buckle body 10.

FIG. 5A shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 illustratinga decorative face 70 coupled with the front face of belt buckle body 10.In this embodiment, decorative face 70 is engaged over belt buckle body10 which is adapted to receive decorative face 70 and may either bepermanently affixed thereto or releasable and interchangeable to allowfor a variety of decorative faces to be used with belt buckle body 10.In alternative embodiments of the invention wherein decorative face 70is interchangeable, decorative face 70 may engage with belt buckle body10 via a variety of methods known in the art. For example, decorativeface 70 may be affixed to belt buckle body 10 via clasp components or afastening system that include male and female counterparts thatinter-engage but can break away with enough force, a button-typemechanism which includes a release (e.g., when pressed, the mechanismwill release decorative face 70), hook and loop tape system, snapfasteners, snapped or screwed into one or more cavities on the frontface of the belt buckle body, slid on through a track or lip membermolded onto the front face of the belt buckle body, latched on, attachedusing magnets, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 5B is a transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 depicting anembodiment of the invention wherein belt buckle body 10 includes a firstcavity 81 and a second cavity 82 to accommodate a rigid frame member.The sides of the loop of the rigid frame member resides in first andsecond cavities 81 and 82. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the rigidframe member is situated externally on the rear side of belt buckle body10.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention have a numberof advantages. For instance, the belt buckles as well as the customizedor unique belt decorative faces are feasible to create and manufacture.Moreover, it can be realized that the present invention, which is animprovement of U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,766, provides additional advantages.For instance, in the present invention, the rigid frame member and thebody of the belt buckle include a curvature to contour the user'swaistline thereby providing comfort for the user. A curved belt bucklewould be more comfortable than one that is shaped like a rectangularblock. The positioning of the loop at the lateral side of the beltbuckle as opposed to the rear face permits additional comfort as therigid metal loop no longer projects into the user's stomach or waistarea. Also, the body of the belt buckle of the present invention is lessbulky and is more lightweight and streamlined which adds comfort for theuser.

It can further be realized that belt buckle of the present invention ismore aesthetically pleasing in light of the belt buckle's design whichis less bulky and more streamlined. Furthermore, the inclusion of aninterchangeable decorative face makes the present inventionaesthetically pleasing for use with everyday apparel while providingversatility. A variety of decorative elements/designs which include anycombination of letters, symbols, and/or logos may be incorporated on thefront face of the belt buckle such as western designs, artistic designs,initials, names, trademarks, sports insignia, and company names. Assuch, the present invention may also be ideal for advertising orpromotional purposes.

It can further be realized that the present invention can more stablyhold together the ends of a belt. The positioning of the loop on alateral side as opposed to the rear face of the belt not only providescomfort for the user, but it helps add stability and integrity to thebelt buckle. The positioning of the loop of the rigid frame memberpermits the user to engage in physical activity without his or her beltbecoming undone. In addition, the positioning of the loop on a lateralside of the belt buckle permits the user to thread the belt more easilyfor attachment of the belt buckle to the belt.

It is to be understood, that although some advantages of the presentinvention are described herein, it is not necessary that all theadvantageous features and/or all the advantages need to be incorporatedinto every embodiment of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described above in considerabledetail with reference to certain versions thereof, other embodiments ofthe present invention are possible. For instance, the decorative face isnot limited to the shape of the convex front face of the belt buckle. Itcan be of any desirable shape. For example, the decorative face may takethe shape of a particular logo, symbol, or character.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive.

1. A belt buckle comprising: (a) a curved belt buckle body including afront face and a rear side; (b) a rigid frame member comprised of aloop, a hook, and a curved intermediate portion connecting the loop andthe hook, wherein the loop extends laterally from the belt buckle bodyand the hook protrudes from the rear side of the belt buckle body; (c) adecorative face that engages with the front face of the belt bucklebody; wherein the belt buckle body includes at least one cavity to housethe rigid frame member.
 2. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein the atleast one cavity is embedded within the belt buckle body and the beltbuckle body is comprised of a plastic material.
 3. The belt buckle ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one cavity is located on the rear side ofthe belt buckle body.
 4. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein thedecorative face is permanently affixed to the front face of the beltbuckle body.
 5. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein the decorative faceis interchangeable.
 6. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein the rigidframe member is comprised of a metal wire having one end formed into thehook and an opposite end formed into the loop.
 7. A belt bucklecomprising: (a) a curved belt buckle body including a front face and arear side; (b) a rigid frame member embedded in a cavity located withinthe belt buckle body, wherein the rigid frame member comprises: a loopconformed to accept an end of a belt and extends laterally from the beltbuckle body, a hook which protrudes from the rear side of the beltbuckle body to permit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in abelt, and a curved intermediate portion that connects the loop and thehook; and (c) a decorative face that engages with the front face of thebelt buckle body, wherein the rigid frame member is comprised of a metalwire having one end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed intothe loop.
 8. The belt buckle of claim 7 wherein the decorative face ispermanently affixed to the front face of the belt buckle body.
 9. Thebelt buckle of claim 7 wherein the decorative face is interchangeable.10. A belt buckle comprising: (a) a curved belt buckle body including afront face, a rear side, and a cavity on the rear side; (b) a rigidframe member housed in the cavity on the rear side of the belt bucklebody, wherein the rigid frame member comprises: a loop conformed toaccept an end of a belt and extends laterally from the belt buckle body,a hook which protrudes from the rear side of the belt buckle body topermit the hook to be inserted in holes provided in a belt, and a curvedintermediate portion that connects the loop and the hook; and (c) adecorative face that engages with the front face of the belt bucklebody, wherein the rigid frame member is comprised of a metal wire havingone end formed into the hook and an opposite end formed into the loop.11. The belt buckle of claim 10 wherein the decorative face ispermanently affixed to the front face of the belt buckle body.
 12. Thebelt buckle of claim 10 wherein the decorative face is interchangeable.